Entertainment

Emilia Pérez lead actress cut from film’s Oscar campaign after racist tweets resurface

In the aftermath of a series of racist tweets resurfacing from Karla Sofía Gascón, the lead actress in the film Emilia Pérez, the campaign for the award show appears to be making significant changes to distance her from the spotlight. It has been reported that Gascón will not be joining her co-stars for a week of awards campaign events in the U.S., including the Critics Choice Awards. The film’s Oscar campaign poster released by Netflix notably excludes any mention or images of Gascón, indicating a deliberate effort to shift focus away from her.

Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender person to be nominated in an acting category at the Academy Awards, faced severe backlash after old social media posts surfaced in which she expressed discriminatory views against Muslims and made derogatory comments about George Floyd. As a result, her chances of winning the best actress Oscar have diminished significantly, according to film critics.

Emilia Pérez, the film in question, tells the story of a cartel leader in Mexico who transitions to a woman and reunites with her family years later. Despite receiving criticism for its portrayal of Mexico and transgender narratives, the film has garnered 13 Oscar nominations, including a nomination for best picture.

Following the controversy surrounding Gascón, Netflix has shifted its promotional focus to Zoe Saldaña, who plays a supporting role in the film and is considered a frontrunner for the best supporting actress Oscar. Gascón has issued apologies for her past remarks and has given a defiant interview in which she denies being racist.

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Industry experts believe that the film’s chances of winning best picture have been compromised by the controversy surrounding Gascón. The Oscars telecast itself may also face complications, as it has been announced that past Best Actress winners were set to deliver tributes to this year’s nominees, including Gascón.

Despite the setbacks, Saldaña remains a strong contender for the best supporting actress Oscar. The controversy surrounding Gascón has cast a shadow over this year’s awards show season, impacting the industry’s typically positive atmosphere. The handling of the situation by Netflix and the film’s producers has been criticized, highlighting the need for thorough vetting of cast members in light of potential controversies.

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